Italian defense giant Leonardo has unveiled two new products aimed at redefining the firepower of modern battle tanks.
According to RID.it, the company introduced its new 120mm L55 tank gun and the latest 120mm VULCANO precision ammunition during a live-fire demonstration at the Cottrau ballistic testing range in Portovenere, Italy.
RID reported that the 120mm L55 cannon, designed for Italy’s upcoming Panther-IT main battle tank, represents a major advancement in tank armament technology. The extended 55-caliber barrel length delivers higher muzzle velocities and improved performance at elevated operating pressures. Leonardo credits this leap in capability to a proprietary autofrettage process that strengthens the barrel, enabling it to handle the stresses of modern high-energy munitions.
The L55 is intended to equip 82 of the 132 Panther-IT tanks on order, while the remaining 50 will be armed with Rheinmetall’s L55A1 cannon. The new gun is also compatible with Italy’s Ariete C2 tank and the AICS-120 combat vehicle, and has strong potential for export markets, the report noted.
A prototype of the L55 fired its first round at Nettuno on June 24. At this week’s demonstration, the system conducted a six-shot sequence in front of invited guests and officials. RID.it said five prototypes will undergo a rigorous 12-month qualification campaign to validate the system for operational use.
Alongside the gun, Leonardo also introduced the VULCANO 120mm ammunition, the newest member of its sub-caliber precision-guided family. The VULCANO round is designed to extend the reach of 120mm tank guns well beyond traditional engagement ranges. RID.it reported that the munition has a maximum range of approximately 30 kilometers, allowing main battle tanks to strike targets far beyond line of sight.
Oggi Leonardo ha formalmente svelato 2 nuovi prodotti: il cannone da 120 mm con canna da 55 calibri – 120/L55 – ed il nuovo munizionamento VULCANO da 120 mm.
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— RID (@RID_Difesa) July 16, 2025
The new munition reflects Leonardo’s view of the evolving battlefield, where maneuver warfare has expanded across multiple dimensions. The company sees the modern main battle tank evolving into a multi-role combat platform, supporting dispersed and nonlinear formations while retaining the ability to deliver precise, long-range firepower.
The VULCANO 120mm is compatible not only with tracked vehicles like the Panther-IT and Ariete C2 but also with wheeled platforms such as the Centauro II.
The unveiling comes as European militaries race to upgrade their armored fleets in response to lessons learned from recent conflicts, including the war in Ukraine. Longer-range precision munitions and higher-performance tank guns are seen as critical enablers for maintaining battlefield dominance in highly contested environments.